Computer-based system for tracking and optimizing productivity of agricultural products

Abstract

A data management system, method, and non-transitory storage device for tracking an agriculture product from origin to shipment to market, and for optimizing productivity of the agriculture product by analyzing the compiled data and modifying future activities accordingly. A single source data repository maintains records of agricultural, administrative, environmental, and process data related to the agriculture product in one-to-many and one-to-one relationships and utilizes at least one special purpose computer server that serves as a storage server for the compiled data and at least one special purpose computer server that serves as a Web server for handling, processing, and completing data requests and retrieval from a plurality of users.

1 . A computer-based system for improved processing of information related to origin, production and distribution of an agriculture product during the entire term of an agricultural production cycle from land preparation to a final destination for sale to consumers, comprising:
 one or more special purpose computer servers designed to serve as a storage server for storing data records in accordance with a logical data model and connected electronic storage that stores computer-executable instructions and data that is used by the computer-executable instructions, wherein the one or more special purpose computer servers, computer-executable instructions and data, together, configure the system to collect information by way of network connections, and process the information to provide processed tracking information of agriculture product origin, production and distribution; with the one or more special purpose computer servers configured for conducting the following steps:   collecting various, diverse agricultural, administrative and environmental data from personal computers, mobile phones, farm machines and third party computer servers, wherein the collecting of data includes:
 assigning a single unique identifier in the form of a Farm Plot Number to the agriculture product first planted or managed at an origin site; 
 compiling daily farming activities for the agriculture product, and associating the compiled activities to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number; 
 compiling harvest activities related to the harvesting of the agriculture product at the origin site, and associating the compiled activities to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number; 
 compiling post-harvest activities for the agriculture product, and associating the compiled activities to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number; 
 compiling additional records and modified existing records as to daily farming activities, harvest activities and post-harvest activities for the agriculture product, and associating the compiled records to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number; 
 maintaining all data association with the Farm Plot Number without changing or modifying the Farm Plot Number during the entire term of the agricultural production cycle; 
 storing and maintaining all compiled data in association with the Farm Plot Number in a single database for the entire term of the agricultural production cycle; 
   compiling the data in a single database to establish how the agriculture product originated and was produced from its farm source origin to a final destination for sale, wherein the data is compiled via using a single user input of the Farm Plot Number by which all data associated with that Farm Plot Number is included for compilation; and   generating a report summarizing the compiled data to authenticate all activities related to the agriculture product's origin, production and distribution, wherein the server generated report is produced upon receiving a single user input of the Farm Plot Number by which all data associated with that Farm Plot Number is included for compilation and is then presented on a graphical user interface or outputted in a printed form;   wherein the compiled data improves the functioning and performance of the computer servers by reducing to a minimum the number of times necessary to access and retrieve all of the compiled data by querying the computer servers with the Farm Plot Number.   
     
     
         2 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The computer-based system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more special purpose computer servers are further configured for conducting:
 processing the agriculture product for shipment;   compiling packing activities related to the packing of the agriculture product, and associating the compiled activities to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number;   compiling shipment information of the agriculture product, and associating the shipment information to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number; and   providing a listing of the compiled information on the shipped agriculture product to confirm for consumers the creation, processing and tracking of the agriculture product from its origin site to final point of sale, wherein the server generated listing is produced upon receiving a single user input of the Farm Plot Number by which all data associated with that user input is included for compilation.   
     
     
         8 . The computer-based system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more special purpose computer servers include a database server for organizing and managing all the collected data in a single, relational database as defined in a logical data model; and a Web server for handling, processing and completing requests from the personal computers, mobile phones, farm machines or third party computer servers. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-based system of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a Web application computer program product for human users to send and retrieve data records manually through a graphical user interface between the computer system and a personal computer; 
 a Mobile application computer program product for human users to send and retrieve data records manually through a graphical user interface between the computer system and a mobile phone; 
 a Web service application computer program product for farm machines to transmit and process data records automatically through an automated scripted procedure between the computer system and a farm machine equipped with a computer; and 
 a Web service application computer program product for business partners to transmit and process data records automatically through an automated scripted procedure between the computer system and an external, third party computer server, 
 wherein the combined computer programs together improve the functioning and performance of the computer servers by providing alternative interfaces and procedures tailored to collect data both manually and automatically from the various users. 
 
     
     
         10 . A computer-based method for processing information related to origin, production and distribution of an agriculture product, wherein each step is conducted by one or more special purpose computer servers designed to serve as a storage server for storing data records in accordance with a logical data model, which method comprises:
 collecting various, diverse agricultural, administrative and environmental data from personal computers, mobile phones, farm machines and third party computer servers, wherein the collecting of data includes:
 assigning the Farm Plot Number to the agriculture product first planted or managed at an origin site; 
 compiling daily farming activities for the agriculture product, and associating the compiled activities to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number; 
 compiling harvest activities related to the harvesting of the agriculture product at the origin site, and associating the compiled activities to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number; 
 compiling post-harvest activities for the agriculture product, and associating the compiled activities to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number; 
 compiling additional records and modified existing records as to daily farming activities, harvest activities and post-harvest activities for the agriculture product, and associating the compiled records to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number; 
 maintaining all data association with the Farm Plot No. without changing or modifying the Farm Plot Number during the entire term of the agricultural production cycle; 
   providing processed tracking information in a generated report summarizing the compiled data to authenticate all activities related to the agriculture product's origin, production and distribution, wherein the server generated report is produced upon receiving a single user input of the Farm Plot Number by which all data associated with that user input is included for compilation and is then presented on a graphical user interface or outputted in a printed form;   wherein the compiled data improves the functioning and performance of the computer servers by reducing to a minimum the number of times necessary to access and retrieve all of the compiled data use by querying the computer servers with the Farm Plot Number.   
     
     
         11 . The computer-based method of  claim 10 , wherein:
 (a) the compiled agricultural data comprises combinations of the following related to the agriculture product:   data records that document farming activities relating to preparing the land or livestock for the agriculture product's growth;   data records that document farming activities related to attending to the agriculture product through the agriculture product's growth from its origin up to harvesting;   data records that document crop, animal, or fish product varieties differentiated by type, family and bioengineering, which are variations selected and used for production;   data records that document water consumption by the agriculture product; and   data records that document the quality of the agriculture product from monitoring the agriculture product throughout growth;   (b) the compiled administrative data comprises combinations of the following related to the agriculture product:   equipment asset data records that document usage;   vendor data records differentiated by vendor contributions during production;   accounting data records that document purchase and sales orders;   employee data records; and   geographical location data records; and   (c) the compiled environmental data comprises combinations of the following related to the agriculture product:   water sampling data records that evaluate water quality;   soil sampling data records that evaluate soil quality;   plant monitoring data records that document status, growth and health of cultivated plants;   pest data records that document risks to plant cultivation; and   weather monitoring data records that document temperature, barometric pressure, precipitation and related weather data.   
     
     
         12 . The computer-based method of  claim 10 , which further comprises compiling process data in the database to authenticate all activities related to processing, packaging, and shipping the agriculture product; wherein the compiled process data comprises combinations of the following related to the agriculture product:
 data records that document preparing the agriculture product for packaging once it arrives at a packing facility and packaging the agriculture product for shipment to market, or alternatively, data records that document converting the agriculture product into a new product and then packaging the converted agriculture product for shipment to market; and   data records that document shipping information including the agriculture product's point of origin, final destination for sale, estimated time of departure and arrival, and transportation identification including shipping container or shipping pallet identification.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-based method of  claim 10 , which further comprises:
 assigning the Farm Plot Number to the agriculture product;   compiling daily farming activities for the agriculture product, and associating the compiled activities to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number;   processing the agriculture product for shipment;   compiling processing activities related to the processing of the agriculture product, and associating the compiled activities to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number;   shipping the agriculture product;   compiling shipping information of the agriculture product, and associating the shipping information to the agriculture product via the Farm Plot Number; and   providing a listing of the compiled information on the shipped agriculture product to confirm for consumers the creation, processing and tracking of the agriculture product from its origin to final point of sale, wherein the server generated listing is produced upon receiving a single user input of the Farm Plot Number by which all data associated with that user input is included for compilation.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory processor readable medium for carrying out the computer-based method of  claim 10  comprising processor readable instructions that when executed by the computer processor cause the computer processor to perform the method. 
     
     
         16 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The computer-based method of  claim 10 , which further comprises assigning the Farm Plot Number to the agriculture product at an origin site to assist in compiling the data regarding the agriculture product as it is produced from the origin site, and then is subsequently processed, packaged and made available for distribution at a final destination for sale to consumers. 
     
     
         22 . A non-transitory processor readable medium for carrying out the computer-based method of  claim 21  comprising processor readable instructions that when executed by the computer processor cause the computer processor to perform the method. 
     
     
         23 . The computer-based method of  claim 10 , wherein the logical data model divides the data associated with the agriculture product's origin, production and distribution into a plurality of data tables and organizes the data tables with one or more data relationships between the data tables in a single database, the logical data model further comprising the following data relationships:
 farm or supplier data table identifying agricultural producers differentiated by type, and associating one farm or supplier record with one or more farm plot records;   farm or supplier data table further identifying processing factories differentiated by type, and associating one farm or supplier record with one or more processing batch records;   farm plot data table identifying divided farm plot records associated with agriculture product variety records first planted or managed on the farm plots, and associating one farm plot record with one agriculture product variety record;   crop variety data table identifying agriculture product varieties differentiated by type, family, species and bioengineering, and associating one agriculture product variety record with one or more farm plot records;   crop protection data table identifying farming activities related to chemical applications differentiated by chemical stock supply type, and associating one farm plot record with one or more chemical application records;   protective equipment data table identifying employee work safety compliance related to chemical applications, and associating one chemical application record with one or more protective equipment records;   water usage data table identifying farming activities related to irrigation and watering differentiated by equipment type that is used to draw water from a water source, and associating one farm plot record with one or more water usage records;   crop harvest data table identifying farming activities related to harvesting differentiated by equipment type that is used to haul the raw agriculture product from the field, and associating one farm plot record with one or more crop harvest records;   food processing data table identifying processing batch records associated with agriculture product variety records that are prepared for conversion into a new product;   received food data table identifying post-harvest activities related to receiving crop harvests differentiated by equipment type that is used to haul the harvest from the field, and associating one farm plot record with one or more received for packing records;   received food data table further identifying post-harvest activities related to receiving crop harvests for conversion into a new product and differentiated by equipment type that is used to haul the harvest from the field, and associating one processing batch record with one or more received for packing records;   received food data table further identifying crop harvests first planted or managed on an associated farm plot and second processed in an associated processing batch;   sampled item data table identifying post-harvest activities related to capturing characteristics of the crop harvests for quality control, and associating one received for packing record with one or more sampled agriculture product records;   packing boxed food data table identifying post-harvest activities related to packing unprocessed crop harvests into individual packages, and associating one farm plot record with one or more package records;   packing boxed food data table further identifying post-harvest activities related to packing processed crop harvests that had been converted into a new product into individual packages, and associating one processing batch record with one or more package records;   packing boxed food data table further identifying packaged records first planted or managed on an associated farm plot and second processed in an associated processing batch;   shipping pallet data table identifying shipment activities related to bundling packaged agriculture products in preparation for transportation, and associating one shipping pallet record with one or more packaged records; and   shipping container data table identifying shipment activities related to transportation of bundled packages on pallets, and associating one shipping container record with one or more pallet records; and   wherein the shipping container, shipping pallet and packing boxed food data tables, together identify agriculture products originating from farm plots, and associate one farm plot record with one or more shipping container records.   
     
     
         24 . The computer-based method of  claim 10 , wherein the logical data model divides the data associated with the agriculture product's precise location as it moves from origin through distribution in a plurality of data tables and organizes the data tables with one or more data relationships between the data tables in a single database, the logical data model further comprising the following data relationships:
 a GPS coordinates data table identifying the fixed perimeter of farm or supplier facilities, and associating one farm or supplier facility record with one or more GPS coordinate records all of which provide an increasingly accurate shape of the facility's perimeter;   a GPS coordinates data table identifying the fixed perimeter of farm plots associated with agriculture product varieties, and associating one farm plot record with one or more GPS coordinate records all of which provide an increasingly accurate shape of the farm plot's perimeter;   a GPS coordinates data table identifying the tracked movement of packaged agriculture products being transported from one facility to the next facility, and associating one packaged product record with one or more GPS coordinate records any coordinate point of which indicates a recorded location along the product's travel path; and   a GPS coordinates data table identifying the tracked movement of freight shipments across road, rail or sea from terminal or port origin to terminal or port destination, and associating one freight shipment record with one or more GPS coordinate records any coordinate point of which indicates a recorded location along the shipment's travel path.   
     
     
         25 . The computer-based method of  claim 10 , wherein the logical data model dividing the data associated with the agriculture product's administrative management and environment monitoring in a plurality of data tables and organizing the data tables with one or more data relationships between the data tables in a single database, the logical data model further comprising the following data relationships:
 one or more data tables related to inventory management identifying purchased and used equipment and supplies and wherein one equipment or supply record is associated with one or more activity records related to origin, production or distribution;   one or more data tables related to vendor management identifying organizations differentiated by type that provide or receive goods or services and wherein one vendor record is associated with one or more activity records related to origin, production or distribution;   one or more data tables related to financial management identifying purchase and sales orders and wherein one purchase order record is associated with one or more purchased equipment or supply records and one sales order record is associated with one or more sold agriculture product records;   one or more data tables related to human resources identifying persons employed or contracted to perform work and wherein one person record is associated with one or more activity records related to origin, production or distribution;   one or more data tables related to geographical location identifying jurisdictions and wherein one jurisdiction record is associated with one or more activity records related to origin, production or distribution;   one or more data tables related to water sampling identifying the quality of local water sources and wherein one or more water sampling records are associated with one water source record;   one or more data tables related to soil sampling identifying the quality of local soil conditions and wherein one or more soil sampling records are associated with one farm plot record;   one or more data tables related to plant monitoring identifying the quality of cultivated plants and wherein one or more plant monitoring records are associated with one farm plot record;   one or more data tables related to pest management identifying the local occurrences of pests and wherein one or more pest occurrence records are associated with one farm plot record; and   one or more data tables related to weather monitoring identifying local weather conditions and wherein one or more weather monitoring records are associated with one farm plot record.